Brand new member here, one who is still trying to smoke using charcoal, gas and pellets on a Vidalia Grill. VERY labor intensive and unsatisfactory. I am trying to decide on a better piece of equipment, and am torn between an electric CS (SMo45) with an Auber, and the Memphis Pro pellet beast. Your posts, opinions and advice in this forum have been invaluable, and I know I'll make a good decision. Right now I'm leaning toward the CS, which would allow me to continue to use my Vidalia grill to crisp chicken and sear steaks. I look forward to interacting with you in the future, and I thank you for your expertise.

I'm an ex Texan, living in Oregon, with an itch for BBQ. I'm looking at three to four different types of smoker/grills: Cabinet charcoal (Humphrey's), Electric (Smokin-It # 3), Pellet (Memphis Pro or Rec Tec), and maybe even a Pit Barrel. I'm sure all will produce good Q, and there's a huge price difference here.

I like the convenience of SIFI control that the electric and pellet smokers give, but I'm not sure about the quality of the end product with an electric (and the type of smoke they produce), and after watching a Memphis video on cleaning the Pro, that was a bit daunting. And the charcoal burners, well, the Pit Barrel is really grilling, not smoking, and I don't know how much trouble and babysitting the Humphrey requires.

I feel like a horse stuck between multiple bales of hay, and starving to death.